August 26, 1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      

Contact:  
Shelly Oechsner Waguespack        
504/582-6908      
fax 504/582-6909    

New Orleans --While millions of Americans will be celebrating Labor Day as a welcomed escape from the doldrums of the office, one man will be celebrating his Labor Day at the place he's worked for exactly 60 years. Of course, Eddie Gabriel isn't your "typical" employee, Pat O'Brien's isn't your "typical" job and a proclamation declaring a day in your honor isn't your "typical" present. But then again, not many people can say they have a job where they get paid to "Have Fun!"        

Eddie Gabriel, or "Mr. Eddie" as he is known to most, joined Pat O'Brien's in 1937, just four years after the bar opened its doors. His career as a musician in Pat O's Piano Bar began as a waiter. As a former drummer in a Dixieland band, he could always be found enjoying the music. At first, it was tapping quarters, often on the copper-topped tables, in rhythm with the dueling pianos and singers. Later it was loose change on a serving tray. Then one day Eddie asked Mercedes (one of the original piano players) to play a number for him. Looking at the tray in his hands with change on top, her first response was to ask him about his quarters, but Eddie stated that he "had a new deal." After playing five songs on his tray full of change, his fingernails all broke. So, he bought some sewing thimbles, and the rest is musical history.      

Six nights a week from 8 p.m. till 3 a.m., Mr. Eddie can be found "playing the tray" between the dueling copper-topped pianos in the Piano Bar at world-famous Pat O'Brien's, as he has since he invented the act in 1945. At age 87, Mr. Eddie says he has no plans to retire, as his work (and vitamins) keep him happy, healthy and young at heart.    

But there is much more to Mr. Eddie's involvement at Pat O'Brien's than just music. Probably the most notable is the story behind the development of the Hurricane, the potent rum-based concoction created at Pat O'Brien's in the early 1940s and rumored to sell at a pace of over one million per year! Mr. Eddie recalls the history of the Hurricane vividly.      

"When the war [World War II] broke out in '44, a liquor salesman came and spoke to [Charlie] Cantrell. He says 'We got bad news. In order to buy a case of whiskey, you've got to buy two cases of rum.' A lot of places had to close 'cause they didn't have no rum drinkers. People didn't want to fool with no rum. So, Cantrell says, 'Well if it's like that, I want a truckload of whiskey and two truckloads of rum.' Imagine," Eddie says with a gleam in his eye. After purchasing such a large amount of rum, Charlie Cantrell and George Oechsner, Jr., who had joined his friends as the business manager of Pat O'Brien's, began experimenting with different mixtures and rum. Customers loved it, as the two mixed various combinations with a generous helping of the plentiful rum. While there are many versions of the story, it is generally agreed that the Hurricane as it is known today evolved with the help of an ambitious liquor salesman and trial and error. It took on its present name with the addition of the unique glass in which it is served. As millions of visitors each year can attest, a Hurricane by any other name is just a summer breeze.      

To celebrate Mr. Eddie's 60th anniversary, Pat O'Brien's is hosting a Labor Day party in his honor on Monday, September 1 from 5 p.m. -8 p.m. in the Piano Bar. Open to the public, the party will feature a special cake, balloons and "Mr. Eddie" t-shirts. Mr. Eddie t-shirts will be given out FREE to the first 200 guests arriving after 5:00 pm. Mr. George "Sonny" Oechsner, III, owner of Pat O'Brien's, will present a check and plaque proclaiming September 1 "Eddie Gabriel Day" to Mr. Eddie for his contribution in making Pat O'Brien's a place millions can enjoy each year.        

"It has been an honor to work with Mr. Eddie for the last 37 years," says Mr. Oechsner. "My father presented a new car to him on his 50th anniversary. We wanted to do something special, too, as Eddie is part of our lives, our history and our family. The bottom line is that Eddie gets what Eddie wants, as my father specified on Eddie's 50th anniversary," Oechsner adds.      

Mr. Oechsner refers to the privileges his father bestowed upon Mr. Eddie in 1987 on the occasion of his 50th Anniversary. At the event, Eddie was presented the keys to a new Ford Thunderbird in front of his fellow employees, bar patrons and local media and was told to "come to work when he wants and leave when he wants, no questions asked."      
"Eddie definitely has more tenure than anyone else at Pat O's," says Barbara Bennett, who has been playing the piano and singing at Pat O'Brien's for a mere 40 years. "We're all family at Pat O's. A lot of places like to say that, but how many really have the familiar (although slightly wrinkled) faces you see time and time again."        

"There are over 40 Pat O'Brien's employees that have been employed for more than 20 years and 14 that are members of the Quarter-Century Club, honoring those with Pat O'Brien's more than 25 years," adds Charlie Bateman, Vice President of Operations.        

Pat O'Brien's was founded on December 3, 1933 by Pat O'Brien. Originally located on the corner of Royal and St. Peter streets, the bar moved to its present location at 718 St. Peter Street in December 1942. The building, built in 1791, was the home to the first Spanish theater in the United States. It later served as a private home to the Deflechie family, before being sold to Pat O'Brien in 1942. Pat O'Brien's attracts visitors from around the world and offers guests several bars and venues to enjoy. Featuring many signature drinks, including the Hurricane, Cyclone, Rainbow, Skylab, Typhoon, Purple People Eater and Mint Julep, Pat O'Brien's describes its mission as dispensing fun and entertaining guests. The bar is touted as having the largest volume business of its size of any drinking establishment in the world.      

The entrance on St. Peter Street is actually an old carriageway and served as the original entrance to the theater. Muskets are crossed above, representing each of the countries whose flag once flew over New Orleans. The Main Bar, or Locals Bar, is located just off the carriageway and features beer steins from around the world suspended from the ceiling and seasonal pictures of guests at Pat O'Brien's. Across the carriageway is the Piano Bar, featuring two copper-topped baby grand pianos, live entertainment and Mr. Eddie playing his tray. Beyond the carriageway is a spacious 4,000 square foot courtyard, home of the Patio Bar and the widely-recognized flaming fountain.  

The patio features plants and trees indigenous to Louisiana and provides a perfect setting for relaxing and having fun with friends. Fronting Bourbon Street, Pat O's Courtyard grill opened in 1996 and connects to the bar by way of the courtyard. The grill is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., serving appetizers, entrees, daily specials and, of course, Pat O'Briens' specialty drinks. Above Pat O's Courtyard is The Briars, an elegant entertainment suite available for private parties, receptions and corporate events. The Briars' second floor opens on a balcony above Bourbon Street.        

Pat O'Brien's recently announced plans to establish franchise locations in select cities in the United States and around the world. Pat O'Brien's-Cancun, the first franchise, opened its doors in 1991 among the beaches and luxury hotels of Mexico's Caribbean Coast. A third location at Universal CityWalk® at Orlando, Florida will feature a replica of the New Orleans location and is scheduled to open in 1998. Franchise information is available by calling (800) 597-4823.